Natural History of Rheumatic Diseases in Minority Communities

Verified October 24, 2017 by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) ( National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) )

Sponsor:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:

NCT00024479

First Posted: September 14, 2001

Last Update Posted: November 8, 2017

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Information provided by (Responsible Party):

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) ( National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) )

This study will explore the causes of rheumatic diseases and why many of them affect certain minority communities more severely. Rheumatic diseases may cause joint pain, stiffness or swelling. Some can involve bones, muscles, tendons or ligaments. Some cause abnormalities of the immune system the body s defense against disease. Some rheumatic diseases are painful or deforming and some can be life threatening. Information obtained from this study will be used to learn about the disparities in rheumatic disease in the minority community and to design further, more targeted, research studies to address this issue.

Patients with known or suspected rheumatic disease 18 years of age or older may be eligible for this study. Candidates will undergo a medical history and physical examination to confirm the diagnosis of rheumatic disease and determine what is needed for evaluation and treatment.

Participants will receive standard medical care for rheumatic disease and arthritis. No experimental treatments, medications or procedures will be included in this study. Procedures may include routine blood tests for blood chemistries, cell counts, and antibodies commonly found in patients with rheumatic disease; a urine test for proteins and cells; and X-rays and other imaging tests to check for abnormalities in the lungs or other organs. All medical information will be kept confidential.

Patients who are found to be eligible for other current NIH research studies will be offered an opportunity to participate in these studies.

Studies of the Natural History of Rheumatic Disease in Minority Communities

Further study details as provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) ( National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) ):

Primary Outcome Measures:

To generate hypotheses relating to basis and/or effects of health disparities in the community, which may serve as basis for subsequent research efforts based in the community and/or at NIH Clinical Center.

Estimated Enrollment:

100000

Study Start Date:

September 12, 2001

Detailed Description:

This protocol will permit the evaluation and treatment of subjects who are members of the

minority community, for the purpose to facilitate understanding the pathogenesis and natural history of rheumatic diseases in this community. Patients will be evaluated with a history and physical examination and routine laboratory studies will be obtained as needed to assess diagnosis, disease activity, disease complications and to monitor for treatment related responses and toxicities. Patients eligible for other research protocols will be offered an opportunity to participate in these studies by signed informed consent. Any medical care recommended or provided to the patient will be consistent with routine standards of practice and will be provided in consultation with the patient s referring physician. All patients referred to this study must have a primary care provider provide a referral. The establishment of this protocol will provide a means to evaluate and treat patients from the minority community, and to generate hypotheses and protocols based on this clinical experience that will address questions of health disparities in the rheumatic diseases.

Eligibility

Information from the National Library of Medicine

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Subjects with known or suspected rheumatic disease.

Age greater than or equal to 18 years.

Willingness and capacity to provide informed consent.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients who cannot meet the inclusion criteria.

Contacts and Locations

Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00024479